Torso support device

ABSTRACT

A torso support device for use in performing under-sink tasks includes a pair of panels that is rigid. The panels are mutually hingedly coupled. The panels are configured to selectively position in an extended configuration and a folded configuration. A first coupler is coupled to a bottom face proximate to a first end of the pair of panels. The first coupler is configured to selectively couple to a lower support of a sink cabinet. The panels extend angularly and substantially coplanarly from the sink cabinet. The panels are configured to support a user who is positioned supinely upon the panels. The user is positioned to perform tasks within the sink cabinet. A handle is coupled to the first end of the pair of panels. The handle is configured to be grasped in a hand of the user to lift and position the panels.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR ASA TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM.

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention (2) Descriptionof Related Art including Information Disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and1.98

The disclosure and prior art relates to support devices and moreparticularly pertains to a new support device for use in performingunder-sink tasks.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above bygenerally comprising a pair of panels that is rigid. The panels aremutually hingedly coupled. The panels are configured to selectivelyposition in an extended configuration and a folded configuration. Afirst coupler is coupled to a bottom face proximate to a first end ofthe pair of panels. The first coupler is configured to selectivelycouple to a lower support of a sink cabinet. The panels extend angularlyand substantially coplanarly from the sink cabinet to a surface uponwhich the sink cabinet is placed. The panels are configured to support auser who is positioned supinely upon the panels. The user is positionedto perform tasks within the sink cabinet. A handle is coupled to thefirst end of the pair of panels. The handle is configured to be graspedin a hand of the user to lift and position the panels.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the disclosure in order that the detailed descriptionthereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that thepresent contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There areadditional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafterand which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features ofnovelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out withparticularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of thisdisclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than thoseset forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to thefollowing detailed description thereof. Such description makes referenceto the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric perspective view of a torso support deviceaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through5 thereof, a new support device embodying the principles and concepts ofan embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by thereference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, the torso support device 10generally comprises a pair of panels 12 that is rigid. The panels 12 aremutually hingedly coupled. The panels 12 are configured to selectivelyposition in an extended configuration and a folded configuration. In theextended configuration, the panels 12 are substantially coplanarlypositioned. In the folded configuration, the panels 12 are adjacentlypositioned. In one embodiment, the panels 12 are substantiallyrectangularly shaped. In another embodiment, the pair of panels 12comprises a first plate 14 and a second plate 16. The first plate 14 ishingedly coupled to the second plate 16. The first plate 14 isdimensionally longer than the second plate 16.

A plurality of hinges 18 is coupled to and extends between the firstplate 14 and the second plate 16. The hinges 18 are configured toselectively position the first plate 14 and the second plate 16 in theextended configuration, wherein the first plate 14 and the second plate16 are substantially coplanarly positioned. The hinges 18 also areconfigured to selectively position the first plate 14 and the secondplate 16 in the folded configuration, wherein the first plate 14 and thesecond plate 16 are adjacently positioned. In one embodiment, the hinges18 are positioned on a bottom face 20 of the pair of panels 12. Inanother embodiment, the plurality of hinges 18 comprises a piano hinge44.

A first coupler 22 is coupled to the bottom face 20 proximate to a firstend 42 of the pair of panels 12. The first coupler 22 is configured toselectively couple to a lower support of a sink cabinet so that thepanels 12 extend angularly and substantially coplanarly from the sinkcabinet to a surface upon which the sink cabinet is placed. The panels12 are configured to support a user who is positioned supinely upon thepanels 12. The user is positioned to perform tasks within the sinkcabinet. In one embodiment, the first coupler 22 comprises a first anglebracket 24. The first angle bracket 24 is L-shaped. In anotherembodiment, the first angle bracket 24 is centrally positioned on thefirst end 42 the first panel.

A pair of cutouts 26 extends into the pair of panels 12 from the firstend 42. The pair of cutouts 26 defines an extension 28. In oneembodiment, the cutouts 26 are rectangularly shaped so that theextension 28 is rectangularly shaped.

A second coupler 30 is coupled to the bottom face 20 of the pair ofpanels 12 adjacent to the extension 28. The second coupler 30 isconfigured to selectively couple to the lower support of the sinkcabinet. The extension 28 is positioned in the sink cabinet and thepanels 12 extend angularly from the sink cabinet to the surface uponwhich the sink cabinet is placed. The panels 12 are configured tosupport the user who is positioned supinely upon the panels 12. The useris positioned to perform the tasks within the sink cabinet. In oneembodiment, the second coupler 30 comprises a second angle bracket 32.The second angle bracket 32 is L-shaped. In another embodiment, thesecond angle bracket 32 extends substantially between opposing sides 34of the pair of panels 12.

A handle 36 is coupled to the first end 42 of the pair of panels 12. Thehandle 36 is configured to be grasped in a hand of the user to lift andposition the panels 12. In one embodiment, the handle 36 comprises astrap 38 that has opposing ends 40. Each opposing end 40 is coupled tothe first end 42. The strap 38 is configured to insert the hand of theuser between the strap 38 and the first end 42 to grasp the strap 38 tolift and position the panels 12.

A plurality of lights 46 is coupled to the extension 28. Each light 46comprises a battery 48 positioned in a housing 50. A bulb 52 is coupledto the housing 50. The bulb 52 is selectively operationally couplable tothe battery 48. The lights are configured to selectively illuminate anarea proximate to the extension 28. In one embodiment, the plurality oflights 28 comprises two lights 28 positioned singly proximate toopposing edges 54 of the extension 28. In another embodiment, each bulb52 comprises at least one light emitting diode 56.

In use, the hinges 18 are configured to selectively position the firstplate 14 and the second plate 16 in the extended configuration. Thefirst plate 14 and the second plate 16 are substantially coplanarlypositioned. The first angle bracket 24 is configured to selectivelycouple to the lower support of the sink cabinet so that the panels 12extend angularly and substantially coplanarly from the sink cabinet tothe surface upon which the sink cabinet is placed. The second anglebracket 32 also is configured to selectively couple to the lower supportso that the extension 28 is positioned in the sink cabinet. The panels12 extend angularly from the sink cabinet to the surface upon which thesink cabinet is placed. The panels 12 are configured to support the useris positioned supinely upon the panels 12. The user is positioned toperform the tasks within the sink cabinet. The lights are configured toselectively illuminate the area proximate to the extension 28. Thehinges 18 also are configured to selectively position the first plate 14and the second plate 16 in the folded configuration. The first plate 14and the second plate 16 are adjacently positioned. The strap 38 isconfigured to insert the hand of the user to grasp the strap 38 to liftand position the panels 12.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodimentenabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials,shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, aredeemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and allequivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings anddescribed in the specification are intended to be encompassed by anembodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of thedisclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used inits non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word areincluded, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. Areference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not excludethe possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless thecontext clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.

I claim:
 1. A torso support device comprising: a pair of panels, saidpanels being rigid, said panels being mutually hingedly coupled suchthat said panels are configured for selectively positioning in anextended configuration, wherein said panels are substantially coplanarlypositioned, and a folded configuration, wherein said panels areadjacently positioned; a first coupler coupled to a bottom faceproximate to a first end of said pair of panels, said first couplerbeing configured for selectively coupling to a lower support of a sinkcabinet; a handle coupled to said first end of said pair of panels; andwherein said first coupler is positioned on said first plate such thatsaid first coupler is configured for selectively coupling to the lowersupport such that said panels extend angularly and substantiallycoplanarly from the sink cabinet to a surface upon which the sinkcabinet is placed, wherein said panels are configured for supporting auser positioned supinely upon said panels such that the user ispositioned for performing tasks within the sink cabinet, wherein saidhandle is positioned on said panels such that said handle is configuredfor grasping in a hand of the user for lifting and positioning saidpanels.
 2. The device of claim 1, further including said panels beingsubstantially rectangularly shaped.
 3. The device of claim 1, furtherincluding said pair of panels comprising a first plate and a secondplate, said first plate being hingedly coupled to said second plate,said first plate being dimensionally longer than said second plate. 4.The device of claim 3, further including a plurality of hinges coupledto and extending between said first plate and said second plate, whereinsaid hinges are positioned on said first plate and said second platesuch that said hinges are configured for selectively positioning saidfirst plate and said second plate in the extended configuration, whereinsaid first plate and said second plate are substantially coplanarlypositioned, and the folded configuration, wherein said first plate andsaid second plate are adjacently positioned.
 5. The device of claim 4,further including said hinges being positioned on said bottom face ofsaid pair of panels.
 6. The device of claim 4, further including saidplurality of hinges comprising a piano hinge.
 7. The device of claim 1,further including said first coupler comprising a first angle bracket,said first angle bracket being L-shaped.
 8. The device of claim 7,further including said first angle bracket being centrally positioned onsaid first end said first panel.
 9. The device of claim 1, furtherincluding a pair of cutouts extending into said pair of panels from saidfirst end defining an extension.
 10. The device of claim 9, furtherincluding said cutouts being rectangularly shaped such that saidextension is rectangularly shaped.
 11. The device of claim 9, furtherincluding a second coupler coupled to said bottom face said pair ofpanels adjacent to said extension, said second coupler being configuredfor selectively coupling to the lower support of the sink cabinet,wherein said second coupler is positioned on said panels such that saidsecond coupler is configured for selectively coupling to the lowersupport such that said extension is positioned in the sink cabinet andwherein said panels extend angularly from the sink cabinet to thesurface upon which the sink cabinet is placed, wherein said panels areconfigured for supporting the user positioned supinely upon said panelssuch that the user is positioned for performing the tasks within thesink cabinet.
 12. The device of claim 11, further including said secondcoupler comprising a second angle bracket, said second angle bracketbeing L-shaped.
 13. The device of claim 12, further including saidsecond angle bracket extending substantially between opposing sides ofsaid pair of panels.
 14. The device of claim 1, further including saidhandle comprising a strap having opposing ends, each said opposing endbeing coupled to said first end, wherein said strap is positioned onsaid panels such that said strap is configured for inserting the hand ofthe user between said strap and said first end for grasping said strapfor lifting and positioning said panels.
 15. The device of claim 9,further including a plurality of lights coupled to said extension, eachsaid light comprising a battery positioned in a housing and a bulbcoupled to said housing, said bulb being selectively operationallycouplable to said battery such that said lights are configured forselectively illuminating an area proximate to said extension.
 16. Thedevice of claim 15, further including said plurality of lightscomprising two said lights positioned singly proximate to opposing edgesof said extension.
 17. The device of claim 15, further including eachsaid bulb comprises at least one light emitting diode.
 18. A torsosupport device comprising: a pair of panels, said panels being rigid,said panels being mutually hingedly coupled such that said panels areconfigured for selectively positioning in an extended configuration,wherein said panels are substantially coplanarly positioned, and afolded configuration, wherein said panels are adjacently positioned,said panels being substantially rectangularly shaped, said pair ofpanels comprising a first plate and a second plate, said first platebeing hingedly coupled to said second plate, said first plate beingdimensionally longer than said second plate; a plurality of hingescoupled to and extending between said first plate and said second plate,wherein said hinges are positioned on said first plate and said secondplate such that said hinges are configured for selectively positioningsaid first plate and said second plate in the extended configuration,wherein said first plate and said second plate are substantiallycoplanarly positioned, and the folded configuration, wherein said firstplate and said second plate are adjacently positioned, said hinges beingpositioned on a bottom face of said pair of panels, said plurality ofhinges comprising a piano hinge; a first coupler coupled to said bottomface proximate to a first end of said pair of panels, said first couplerbeing configured for selectively coupling to a lower support of a sinkcabinet, wherein said first coupler is positioned on said first platesuch that said first coupler is configured for selectively coupling tothe lower support such that said panels extend angularly andsubstantially coplanarly from the sink cabinet to a surface upon whichthe sink cabinet is placed, wherein said panels are configured forsupporting a user positioned supinely upon said panels such that theuser is positioned for performing tasks within the sink cabinet, saidfirst coupler comprising a first angle bracket, said first angle bracketbeing L-shaped, said first angle bracket being centrally positioned onsaid first end said first panel; a pair of cutouts extending into saidpair of panels from said first end defining an extension, said cutoutsbeing rectangularly shaped such that said extension is rectangularlyshaped; a second coupler coupled to said bottom face of said pair ofpanels adjacent to said extension, said second coupler being configuredfor selectively coupling to the lower support of the sink cabinet,wherein said second coupler is positioned on said panels such that saidsecond coupler is configured for selectively coupling to the lowersupport such that said extension is positioned in the sink cabinet andwherein said panels extend angularly from the sink cabinet to thesurface upon which the sink cabinet is placed, wherein said panels areconfigured for supporting the user positioned supinely upon said panelssuch that the user is positioned for performing the tasks within thesink cabinet, said second coupler comprising a second angle bracket,said second angle bracket being L-shaped, said second angle bracketextending substantially between opposing sides of said pair of panels; ahandle coupled to said first end of said pair of panels, wherein saidhandle is positioned on said panels such that said handle is configuredfor grasping in a hand of the user for lifting and positioning saidpanels, said handle comprising a strap having opposing ends, each saidopposing end being coupled to said first end, wherein said strap ispositioned on said panels such that said strap is configured forinserting the hand of the user between said strap and said first end forgrasping said strap for lifting and positioning said panels; a pluralityof lights coupled to said extension, each said light comprising abattery positioned in a housing and a bulb coupled to said housing, saidbulb being selectively operationally couplable to said battery such thatsaid lights are configured for selectively illuminating an areaproximate to said extension, said plurality of lights comprising twosaid lights positioned singly proximate to opposing edges of saidextension, each said bulb comprises at least one light emitting diode;and wherein said piano hinge is positioned on said first plate and saidsecond plate such that said piano hinge is configured for selectivelypositioning said first plate and said second plate in the extendedconfiguration, wherein said first plate and said second plate aresubstantially coplanarly positioned, and the folded configuration,wherein said first plate and said second plate are adjacentlypositioned, wherein said first angle bracket is positioned on said firstplate such that said first angle bracket is configured for selectivelycoupling to the lower support such that said panels extend angularly andsubstantially coplanarly from the sink cabinet to the surface upon whichthe sink cabinet is placed, wherein said second angle bracket ispositioned on said panels such that said second angle bracket isconfigured for selectively coupling to the lower support such that saidextension is positioned in the sink cabinet, wherein said panels extendangularly from the sink cabinet to the surface upon which the sinkcabinet is placed, wherein said panels are configured for supporting theuser positioned supinely upon said panels such that the user ispositioned for performing the tasks within the sink cabinet, whereinsaid lights are configured for selectively illuminating the areaproximate to said extension, wherein said strap is positioned on saidpanels such that said strap is configured for inserting the hand of theuser between said strap and said first end for grasping said strap forlifting and positioning said panels.